Clinical value of immunolymphscintigraphy in patients with breast cancer

Thirty four patients suspected of suffering from breast cancer were investigated by immunolymphscintigraphy (ILS) a few days before a planned operation. Patients received 500 micrograms of the BCD-F9 monoclonal antibody or its F(ab')2 fragments containing 1 mCi of Iodin-123. Each preparation was given by a subcutaneous injection into the fingerwebs between the 2nd and 3rd fingers of both hands. Three static scintigrams were taken 4, 8 and 24 hours following injection of the radiolabelled antibodies. ILS results were always compared to histopathological findings and gave for the intact antibody a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 93% and an accuracy of 89%, the positive predictive value was 91% and the negative predictive value was 80%. On the other hand, when the F(ab')2 fragments were used the sensitivity of the ILS technique was 75%, the specificity was 100% while the accuracy was 86%, the positive predictive value was 100% and the negative predictive value was 75%.